Bid to rid streets of dumped cars

Since April, the council has run a FREE collection of unwanted vehicles that would otherwise be vandalised, smashed and sometimes set ablaze.

But now it wants to encourage more people to take advantage of the service and has enlisted the help of Hucknall's Kwik Save supermarket on Chapel Street.

For two months (October and November), there will be posters and adverts in the store. The collection service and telephone number will also be advertised on the back of checkout till receipts.

The promotional campaign will run for six months in total and will be rolled out for two-month stints at the Kwik Save shops in Sutton and Kirkby too.

Since April the beginning of the free collection 100 old vehicles have been towed away.

But still, cars are being abandoned, posing all the associated threats to the environment.

Hucknall's leader of Ashfield Council, Coun Ken Creed (Lab), launched the new promotional campaign.

He said: "The council is serious about tackling this problem. The collection service offers residents a free way of getting rid of their unwanted cars with confidence that they will be disposed of responsibly.

"I would encourage people to use this service and remove old cars from circulation.

"Only time will tell whether it will have any significant effect on the number of vehicles abandoned on our streets but I am confident it will have an impact."

To be eligible for free collection, you must be able to answer yes to the following questions:

n DO you live within the boundaries of Ashfield Council?

n ARE you the registered keeper of the vehicle?

n ARE you prepared to surrender the logbook with the vehicle?

If you qualify, then get in touch with the council via the freephone number 0800 0522390.